Gibbston Highway, c. 1912
From the Hocken collections, a photograph of two men in an EMF motorcar owned by the Gore Motor Garage. The driver is John Benson Cartsburn Watt (1874-1962). The change in road height is apparent through the blend between the old and new photographs.
About Gibbston Highway
Stretching between Arrow Junction and the Kawarau Gorge, the Gibbston Highway follows one of Otago’s most dramatic river valleys. Once a rough cart route serving gold miners and settlers, it later became a vital link between Queenstown and Cromwell. Today, the surrounding Gibbston Valley is renowned for its vineyards, where the rugged landscape and cool climate produce some of New Zealand’s finest Pinot Noir.
About the Viewfinder Series
Viewfinder reimagines historic photographs, aligning past and present to reveal how our landscapes evolve over time.
Featured Image
Two men in a car on the Gibbston Highway above the Kawarau and Arrow River (c.1912). Hocken Digital Collections
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All purchases help fund future explorations and new additions to the series.
View more images from the project
Continue exploring the Viewfinder series through other towns, landscapes, and architectural landmarks by using the links below.
Each photograph in the collection pairs a century-old view with its modern counterpart, revealing both the constants and the changes that shape our landscape.
